Mr. Tsubota discusses attending Japanese school and the role of religion in his household growing up. Forced to work after high school to help support his family, Mr. Tsubota was forced to forgo college immediately after graduation, instead working…
Hagiwara discusses his whereabouts during the end of the war, and his route to get back home. He would get on a plane and take a long trip home, stopping along the way in Puerto Rico, then Miami, before taking a train to Chicago where his wife and…
Hagiwara continues talking about his time growing up in Ketchikan, Alaska. He would take an interest in basketball, and even be able to travel to different areas for competitions. Next, he talks about the population of his neighborhood and the…
Ota talks more about his childhood in Washington and being able to travel around the state playing sports. He would enjoy playing basketball at the YMCA the most and would continue to help his dad working at the hotels they owned. During the summers,…
Miyamoto continues his recollection of growing up on Hilo, where his pidgin English was heavy and his normal English was inconsistent. After graduation from high school, he and his family would move to Kalihi on Oahu. It was there that he would see…
Kawamoto discusses his post-war life: family life and employment. He talks about the lives of his children. He also discusses his longevity. He concludes with a message to future generations.
Kawamoto discusses his youth and early adulthood in Kaimuki, Hawaii. He talks about his family's living conditions and his recollections of the Pearl Harbor. He also talks about how his mother was widowed before his birth and how his older half…
Westdale discusses about his experiences in Germany and his homecoming. He details about his post-war life and employment. Westdale also discusses about the legacy of Japanese American Soldiers.
Ishida discusses his hospital stay for an ingrown toenail which caused him to miss combat duty during the Gothic Line. He then talks about his experiences at Leghorn; his guard duty assignment; visiting Switzerland while on leave; getting discharged;…
Tanabe discusses about his life after getting discharged. He details about his nickname, children, and career. Tanabe also gives a message to future generations.
Yoshioka discusses the time he spent stationed in Australia including a furlough in Sydney, his whereabouts at the end of the war, and going back to the United States where he was discharged at Camp McCoy. He then talks about attending college in…
Yoshioka discusses his parents including his father’s occupation, and talks about his siblings. He then talks about working on a nursery growing up, and assisting with selling carnations at flower markets in Northern California. Yoshioka also…
Masuda talks about how life was different when he returned to Livingston after the war. He talks about other changes after the war and his children. Masuda discusses his marriage and grandchildren. He briefly describes his post war career and his…
Yoshihara talks about his post-war life including attending school and getting degrees in microbiology; and his employment as a researcher and laboratory technician. He then talks about learning Japanese and how it affected his experiences in Japan,…
Kaji discusses about his name and family. He details about childhood and Boyle Heights. Kaji also discusses about the Great Depression and his home life.
Miyagi discusses his military experiences and life after discharge. He shares stories regarding: Mainland and Hawaiian Nisei relations; basic training with Caucasians; and being a replacement soldier for the 100th Battalion. He also talks about his…
Miyagi discusses his youth in Hawaii and early adult experiences before his military service. He talks about being orphaned in early adolescence; working at a young age; and being rejected by the military when he volunteered. He also describes how…
Togami talks about being wounded in France from shrapnel and being shipped back to the United States for recovery. While at the hospital in New Mexico, he would hear of the end of the war and when fully recovered, be discharged from the Army. He…
Kondo talks about how he adjusted to civilian life after the military. He talks about the family he established and the family values he learned from his parents. He also talks about his feelings regarding the legacy of the 442nd Combat Regiment and…
Miyamoto discusses growing up in Hawaii; talks about his father and his occupation on a plantation; discusses his mother; and talks about attending Japanese language school. He then talks about attending high school and his participation in the…
Taketa discusses about life after high school and living in Hilo, Hawaii. He details Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Taketa also discusses about his ship getting hit by a torpedo.
Kiyoji Morimoto discusses his birth date, birthplace and familial description. Morimoto's father is from Japan and becomes a commercial fisherman in Hilo, Hawaii. Morimoto's Father is a happy go lucky guy. His occupation requires him to work on the…
Nakauchi discusses his parents, siblings, and working on a plantation while growing up in Hawaii. He also talks about traveling to attend high school, going to Japanese language school, and having to work in sugar cane fields to earn his high school…
Minamide discusses the war ending and homecoming. Before being discharge at Camp Beale, he is ask to join the Military Intelligence Service . Since his Father is passed away, he feels his duties are to return home to his family. When returning home,…
T. Yoshihashi talks about his youth growing up in Pasadena, CA. He talks about his childhood home life with his parents and siblings. He shares anecdotes regarding: growing up in the Great Depression, school days, and racial segregation in Pasadena…
Miya discusses his prefecture origin and changing his last name from Miyagishima to Miya. He feels that Miya would be easier for his friends to pronounce. Growing up, his family are Christians. The Miya family does not tend church regularly due to…
Hamada discusses taking a loyalty questionnaire and the aftermath which included getting sent to a segregation camp and expatriation to Japan. He then talks about his experiences in Japan including traveling, discussing food, visiting relatives, and…
Yamasaki discusses the adversity he faced during the time after he left the army. He reflects and the mark he left of Japan and vise versa. Yamasaki also discusses explaining democracy in Japan.
Yamada discusses about his experiences in post-war Japan. He details about his post-war life. Yamada also discusses about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS).
Aki continues to talk about his experiences as a prisoner of war while in Japan. Towards the end of the war, he noticed that a lot of weird things were happening with the Japanese Army guards and that the POWs were taken out of work. He overheard…
Aki talks about getting to Wake Island, going on a boat and arriving to a small island, where there was nothing but Marines, some Navy and Pan-American Airlines. He would end up working in the mess hall, while the construction workers would help to…
Aki begins the interview talking about his family, both of his parents were Nisei and had decided to settle in Kauai, his father being a politician, while his mother was a schoolteacher. As a child, he would grow up liking geography, while his…
Fukushima provides some thoughts regarding Military Intelligence Service (MIS) soldiers; discusses his sister who was living in Japan during World War Two; and talks about getting discharged and seeing his family again. Next, Fukushima talks about…
Doi discusses his wife; talks about education reform and equality in Japan; discusses Monbusho (Ministry of Education); and talks about private universities in Japan. Next, Doi discusses why he almost attended Todai (University of Tokyo); discusses…
Sugamura talks about her experiences while working for the Civil Censorship Detachment (CCD); discusses Nisei linguists at CCD; provides some thoughts regarding the United States occupation of Japan; and discusses recreational activities while…
Sugamura provides some thoughts regarding the war; discusses the Kempeitai (Japanese military); tells a story regarding a friend who was being watched by the Kempeitai; and talks about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. She then talks about her father…
Hara discusses about geopolitics and post-war Japan. He details about rocket programs, prisoners, and the end of his military service. Hara also discusses about his post military life, family, and gives advice to future generations.
Kozono discusses his experiences growing up in rural farming community outside of Sacramento. He talks about his home life and how he and his 6 sisters worked on the family farm. He also discusses how his parents dealt with obstacles to land…
Kashiwagi shares his lasting impressions of World War Two. He describes his journey home and his return to civilian life. He talks about his engineering career after the war. He discusses his marriage and children. He talks about sharing his war…
Kashiwagi talks about his early life in Hayward, California. He describes his parents, siblings, and family farm. He discusses his community of Knights Landing, California. He talks about what he did in his childhood leisure time. Kashiwagi also…
Hishinuma continues to talk about his work for the Atomic Printing Company. He describes how he and his future wife applied for a marriage license. He discusses his wife application for citizenship. He talks about the female companions that his job…
Ida talks about his time after the war and returning to the United States from Italy. He would first go to New York before getting stranded in Marysville, waiting for a strike to end so he could boat back to Hawaii. He would get back to Hawaii on…
Ida continues to talk about what it was like to grow up in Hawaii, including purchasing a home after high school. He also talks about living in a small town and knowing everybody, while he would attend both english and Japanese school. He talks about…
T. Ono discusses growing up in Hawaii. He talks about his family, childhood, and describes his neighborhood. He also talks about his school experiences from elementary school into high school.
Hagino discusses working in accounting; retirement; his job freelance writing newspaper articles; and talks about his wife and children. He then talks about his friendships with other veterans; provides some thoughts about World War Two in regards to…
Hagino discusses receiving a good conduct medal, getting discharged, and going to Okinawa as a civilian to work on a construction project. He then talks about his experiences interacting with Okinawa civilians; visiting Japanese POW camps; and…
Tamagawa discusses his post-war education and education. He details about getting married and has two children. He shares an experience with Japanese Prisoners of War. Tamagawa leaves a message for future generations and what was the hardest part…
Doi talks about his involvement with the Democratic Revolution, working with various senators and representatives and eventually getting appointed a judgeship. After this, he speaks about the statehood of Hawaii and what that did for the community.…
Doi talks about his whereabouts when he found out about V-E day, deciding to volunteer with the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) to fight in the Pacific Theater. However, while in transition between the Europe and Asia, he would be on a furlough…
Miho discusses about the hotel business and working during high school. He details about customs, working after high school, and going to college. Miho also discusses about his family and political climate in 1941.
Matsuo discusses about becoming a Republican and a Ambassador of Good Will for Hawaii. He details about his wife and children. Matsuo also discusses about thoughts of giving up and persevering; he also gives his closing remarks.
Matsuo discusses about what he learned from being a Mess Sergeant. He details life after being discharged. Matsuo also discusses about starting and running his own business.
Matsuo discusses Sanseis and his upbringing. He details about his first job and the rest of his career path. Matsuo also discusses about Pearl Harbor, its' aftermath, and being drafted.
Hisatomi explains how he felt about replacement soldiers. He describes his experiences with discrimination when he returned to the United States. He talks about his military decorations. He recollects what living conditions were like in the military.…
Hisatomi continues to talks about his involvement in sports tournaments. He explains how he helped his father mechanize their family farm. He talks about a farmers association and a non-profit association that he helped create. He continues to talk…
Sato discusses religion, school, and recreational activities growing up such as swimming and skiing. He then talks about a close friend; chores on the farm; holidays; and his experiences after he quit high school and worked at a labor camp in…
Hozaki talks about his induction. He also talks about his wife and children. He discusses his education. He describes his employment before his military service. He talks about his physical exam for his enlistment. He discusses his experiences at…
Kodama continues his recollection of his time visiting family in Hiroshima and seeing the devastation of the city a year after the atomic bomb had been dropped. Shortly after this, he had the chance to re-enlist in the Army as a 2nd lieutenant but…
M. Saito discusses his life in Hawaii before and after the World War Two, and his experiences in the war after being drafted. He shares anecdotes regarding his father's migration to Hawaii from Japan and growing up in Hawaii pre and post war. M.…
Miyake continues to discuss military reunions. He talks about his friends that died during combat. He continues to discuss his wife and their return to California. He describes his life in Denver, Colorado and how he adjusted to civilian life.…
Tsukayama discusses training and experiences as a medic during World War 2. He also talks about his family and participation in veteran organizations. He shares anecdotes regarding: treating soldiers on the battlefield; military food; working in…
Arakaki discusses being five points short of being able to go home at the end of the war, so he stayed in Europe and visited Switzerland, Venice, and Rome. He then talks about going to the Mainland and his experiences in New York before going back to…
Arakaki discusses discrimination faced by Japanese Americans in Hawaii in regards to employment before World War Two, and his employment as a hoist operator at a trucking company. He then talks about his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor…
Arakaki provides an explanation of the meaning of Nisei and Issei, and discusses his parents immigrating from Okinawa to Hawaii, where they worked on a plantation. He then talks about his upbringing-discussing discipline and household chores,…
Anzai talks about assisting Hawaiian soldiers with writing letters to their families back home while in battle at Anzio, and also talks about his duties during battle which involved being a rifleman. He then discusses about some of the medals he…
Anzai discusses growing up in Maui, before relocating to Japan with his mother and siblings when he was five years old. Anzai talks about his experiences traveling to Japan, learning Japanese, going to school in Japan, watching samurai movies, and…
Hada discusses growing up in Hawaii, living on a sugar plantation, and his hobbies. He also talks about his parents, and discusses having to take care of his siblings and help out with household chores after his mother passed away. After high school,…
Higa discusses the Lost Battalion and getting wounded. He details about his recovery and coming home. Higa also discusses his life after returning to Hawaii.
Kimoto discusses how he went blind. Kimoto details how he met his wife and some of the adversity he faced for being Japanese. He also discusses he career as a Fuller Brush Man.
Suzuki describes a visit with Pete's family to explain how Pete died. He talks about his college studies and his employment ventures after college. He explains how he met his wife. He discusses his children and grandchildren. He describes his first…
Horikawa discusses majoring in art at the University of Washington; teaching high school art; meeting his wife; and provides a message to future generations.
Horikawa discusses his father's life in Japan; his parents marriage; and his father's employment at a hardware store and as an inventor. He then talks about some of the inventions his father created; discusses his family's religion and attending…
Kono discusses receiving passes, traveling, and communicating with his family during the war. He details about awards received and coming home. Kono also discusses his career and family (wife, children, grandchildren).
Yasukochi talks about farming life while living in California, driving a truck up and down the coast to pick up fertilizer in San Pedro and back to Oceanside at the age of 11. Next, he talks more about what it was like to grow up in California,…
Fukasawa discusses moving to to Oelwein, Iowa because his wife has a teaching job there. He gets a job at John Deere and saves enough money to buy a house. Later he joins the National Guard in 1947 until 1952.
Tokuda discusses his life after World War Two. He talks about his marriage and children. He describes discriminatory events he endured while looking for work. Tokuda also reflects on his war experiences and the legacy of WW2 Nisei veterans.
Mori explains how his parents immigrated to America. He describes his earliest memories. He talks about his family's farming background and his primary school experiences. Mori discusses his families frequent moves. He explains childhood conceptions…
Teragawa begins the interview speaking about his family background and early childhood, where he moved to Japan at the age of four with his brother to get a Japanese education. Next, he speaks about moving back to the United States to work at his…
Shimada continues his conversation about his work in California prior to joining the Army. At the time, he was one of the best in his business. Next, he speaks about being a cook in the Army, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Finally, he…
Isamu Shimada begins the interview with his family background and what it was like to grow up in California. As his family was poor, he would grow up in a small house and would work for most of his childhood on the farms. It was there that he learned…
Tanaka discusses about joining the service and his early experiences in the military. He details about the aftermath from Pearl Harbor. Tanaka also discusses about hid family.
Honda discusses about Seabrook Farms and working for 3M. He details about his wife, children, grandchildren, and the relationship with his brother. Honda also discusses about his involvement with Japanese Redress, his hopes for the future, and giving…
Honda discusses about his family and childhood upbringing. He details about his childhood friends, social activities, and his health as a child. Honda also discusses about Pearl Harbor and its aftermath.
Fujimoto continues to talk about the extent to which he heard stories from soldiers that returned from Europe. He discusses his return to Colorado. He shares his thoughts on the end of World War Two and the atomic bombing of Japan. He describes his…
Fujimoto talks about his birthplace in California. He explains how his father immigrated to the United States. He describes his parents physical appearances. He discusses his parent's marriage. He lists his siblings. He talks about his family's move…
Ito talks about his birthplace, Fresno, California. He discusses his experiences in primary school. He describes how and why his parents immigrated to America. He talks about his father's work at a cannery. He discusses his father's launch into…
Ishikawa discusses being a horse jockey and working on a plantation. He also recalls the best and worst parts of war. Ishikawa receives medals and badges for his service in war.
Inaba discusses about what it was like growing up on a coffee farm. He details about his experiences in the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inaba also discusses about his career with the credit union.
Inaba discusses about his family and growing up. He details about Pearl Harbor, its aftermath, and volunteering for the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Inaba also discusses about his experiences while in the Military Intelligence Service. He…
Deguchi discusses about his experiences in France and Italy. He details about joining becoming an officer and joining the reserves. Deguchi also discusses about his family and his career.
Edwin Kawahara recounts his life growing up in Hawaii and the the importance of good education throughout his life. He talks about discriminatory hiring practices and finally finding a good job in the insurance industry. He also shares his…
Nakamura discusses about visiting his family in post-war Japan. He details about going back to college and finding employment. Nakamura also discusses about his children.
Osaka discusses his luck during the war, returning home, and his pen pal. He details about his post-war life, including his employment and meeting his wife. Osaka gives his closing remarks.
Tomita discusses post-war employment working for the State of California in auditing and accounting, meeting his wife, and his daughter's work with the Navy. He then talks about his hopes for the future in regards to his daughter and granddaughter,…
Fujimoto provides some thoughts about the 100th and 442nd including a story regarding a former classmate who was killed in action; and discusses his whereabouts when he heard about D-Day. He then talks about his experiences with discrimination in…
